Today we have pushed out an update with a large number of bug fixes and optimizations. Highlights of the build are improvements to the Ranked Server Matchmaker and improvements to the way the destruction of large voxel objects are managed!

Build 3133

Fixes and Tweaks

General:

Optimized method in which large voxel objects are destroyed, should no longer cause connection timeout message.

Fixed an issue where the scrollbar would not retain its position correctly in Custom Match Lobbies

Several optimizations to the ranked server match-maker to ensure the best server is selected based on ping and server population

Fixed an issue where the ranked server match-maker could cause a game crash in certain scenarios

Improved accuracy of loading progress bar on the loading screen

Change of options order within Rules (General is now is the second option)

Updated block and prefab placement cost to display even if the placement is not valid, in which case the cost is displayed in red

Removed unused and duplicate PNG and KV6 files from the client

Dump files will now be created in the game's install folder if the game crashes

Fixed an issue where pressing ALT could cause the game to enter a paused state

Improved the way using TAB on the end-of-round score screen switches between score boards

Fixed an issue which could prevent a custom match host from kicking a player from the lobby in Zombie Mode

Fixed an issue where a player a player's team color would become "Blue" if their team was selected as "Neutral" in the lobby preventing them from joining the game.

Improved messaging if a player tries to change team during a Zombie Outbreak

Removed option to start games with a target score of 256 or greater

Fixed an issue where Spectators could be incorrectly kicked at the end of the map

Removed "Most Team Kills" Award

Weapons:

Added Engineers SMG Foresight

Added a mini map icon for the Rocket Turret

Fixed an issue where Rocket Turrets would not "One Hit Kill" when the option was enabled in a Custom Match

Graphics:

Fixed an issue where shadows could move ahead of a character

Gameplay:

Decreased Target Score within TDM to 200

Decreased dynamite knock back to reduce cases of using it to team kill

Added correct text to several Prefabs where placeholders were displayed before

Added ability to place Rocket Turrets on water

Balanced Fall Damage (Especially the Engineer)

Improved Vote Map display reliability in Ranked Matches

Fixed an issue in Demolition Mode causing characters to become unable move during the base building time

Fixed an issue whereby it was possible to leave the bounds of the tutorial

Fixed an issue whereby a single tutorial area could be occupied by multiple players

Fixed an issue with Rocket Turret positioning

Fixed an issue with Rocket Turret ghost color not being neutral sometimes

Fixed an issue where the ghost prefab could become partly submerged under the water line

Scoring:

Attempted Fix for an issue where a TDM round would not end when the target score was met

Attempted Fix for an issue where players could receive a score of zero during a TDM

Improved server-side performance of the leader-boards

Text/Messages:

Removed ability to enter text in the in-game chat which is not supported by the chat font

Improved Leaderboards display of long names by cropping rather than re-sizing the font

Fixed an issue where "Blocks cannot place on water" message would flicker

Added correct text to the "MOST_Distractions" award

Added different message to be sent to the player who cashed in a diamond than is sent to the rest of the team

Score System:• Leaderboard (platform icon): shows Global, Local and Friends stats, divided into different game modes and general• Player Profile : shows personal stats and ranks, Game Modes - Classes - Equipment stats• Players personal match score is shown on the HUD in a game• Updated end of game score screens with awards and scores

Ranked Match: • Now you can play predefined game modes that track your rank and scores

Custom Match: • Now you are able to set up your own game rules / settings• You are able to chat while in a custom lobby• You are able to join your Steam friends matches• Host can create teams (options: neutral, blue, green) • Match Settings:o Privacy (Invite, Friends, Open) o Mode (all game modes)o Max Players (2-24)o Match Length (5-90)o Map (Standard, Classic, Mafia) o Game Rules (Enable/Disable Classes, Enable/Disable Weapons, Changing Game Rules, Changing General Game Features) ________________________________________

Weapons:• Snowblower: removed Christmas design, renamed as Block Cannon• Knife: faster movement • Added Classic SMG, Classic Shotgun for Classic CTF selection• Votekick:o Players are able to kick other players by pressing K • Gameplay: o Removed the limit on the length of block lineso Occupation Mode is now score based - 50 points to win the matcho Default match length for Classic is now 90 minutes long• Sounds: o Added diamond disappear sound o New sound when hitting water with melee weapons• Bugs:o We have made a whole host of bug fixes, and hope that you have a better gaming experience.

The lobby provides a chat box, and allows the host to dictate who is able to join the game, and remove who they want. As the host you can also set all the game settings from here, with the chat box providing a way to discuss the next setup. From the lobby the host can also predefine who's on which team, which of course is great for team games or clan matches, and allows you to ensure that you and your buddies are on the same team. Once ready the host will start the game.

Game Settings

These allow you to define the following:

Game Mode

Privacy of the Game

Map

Max Players

Match Length

Game Rules

This section allows you to augment and customise the rules of the selected game mode. These include, but are not limited to:

Block Health

Block Wallet Size

Game Speed

Alter a Selection of Spawn Settings

Enable Specific Classes

Enable Specific Weapons or Equipment

Customise Game Mode Specific Rules

Player Profile

The player profile will capture all sorts of information and details about the way you play, from your personal player statistics to specific stats for game modes, classes, and equipment.

Hopefully this gives you all some insight into what's coming in the next few weeks. Look out for more details about this update, and information on further future updates.Ace of Spades Team

Disclaimer: The details outlined here are not fully finalised and could change slightly before release

So it's been a while, huh!? Well I'm here to reassure you that we have been very busy behind the scenes, and now it's high time that I share some insights into what's heading your way next.

So, what is next?

The next content update is going to be a big one, and will include the following:

A revised main menu

Custom Games

Re-designed ranked matches & in game Leaderboards

Introduction of a Player Profile

Tutorial - Deuce basic training for new players

A range of global balancing

Goodbye Rocketeer, hello Engineer! The Rocketeer has been stripped back to its original design & made into a full utility class designed to build & defend

Why change the way we play games?

We have been carefully listening to your feedback and deconstructing it all to get to the root of the issues. We have identified the following:

You don't want to only be allowed to play matches the way we dictate, you want freedom to play the way you want to play, and have control over your match.

Many of you have strong opinions about certain in game content such as specific classes, weapons, or maps, and would rather play without some of the current content.

You want more variety in terms of game settings and rule sets.

You want to be able to play with your friends/clans and be able to set up teams.

You want to be able to control which players join your match and be able to get rid of trouble makers.

You want to be able to check your results without having to navigate away to a website.

You want more variety in ranked matches, and to be able to choose your preferred mode rather than restricted to only a few.

You want to be able to specialise in a specific mode, and for the leaderboards to reflect this.

We took this and worked on an update, that while it doesn't add new maps or other in game playable content, it will improve the fundamental way you play the game, find matches, and team up with friends.

Ranked Matches

After clicking the 'Ranked Match' option you will be taken to the playlist screen, where you can choose which official vanilla game mode you want to play. Once you have selected a mode the system will match you to the best ranked server available. All ranked matches will contribute towards your leaderboard standing and your player profile.

Leaderboards

Currently you can find the leaderboards on our website, but we'll be moving these into the game, and you'll be able to access them easily via a menu option.

These will record your match and performance results, then rank you globally, by friends, and locally too.

You will be able to view leaderboards per game mode as well as globally so you can rank yourself on the modes you play rather than just globally. There will be a wide range of stats, all of which can be sorted to suit your preferences.

Custom Games

If you don't fancy ranked matches, and you just want to play for fun then Custom Games are for you. When choosing this option you will be presented with the choice to either join a match (public or open matches your friends are hosting) or create and host your own. Custom Games can be opened to the public or closed to anyone who isn't your friend. You can even choose to make your match invite only for the most control over who joins.

Once you choose to create your own game you start a lobby and you become the host. As the host you have full control of the lobby & players in it, as well as game settings, and game rules.

So if you have always wanted to play a game of TDM on The Colosseum, where it's Commandos only, knife only, with one hit kills on... you can! If you dislike laser beams you can turn them off. There's all sorts of settings to play with to find a combination that suits your preferences.

Balancing/Gameplay• Players can now play Dynamite, Turrets, and Landmines on the Flare Block Prefab• [DLC] Fix for being able to throw Molotov Cocktails by pressing shift rather than releasing the mouse button• You can no longer bury one of the health crates on Arctic Base• Landmines now also detonate when buried 2 blocks deep• It now takes 2 headshots to kill the Miner with the Rifle• Friendly dynamite timer is no longer visible through the whole map• If a player changes to spectator mode after the zombie virus has been detected, and then rejoins the game they will become infected• Updated zombie spawn areas on Double Dragon• While chatting as a spectator the screen will lock to a 'chat mode' after pressing the mapped chat button• Added additional crate spawn points to Arctic Base and to Lunar Base

Graphical/HUD• Grenades no longer clip through blocks• [DLC] More realistic model for Tommy Gun when in aim mode• Miner's hat is team coloured instead of having black lines on it• Resolution no longer resets back to default settings (800x600) after restarting the game• Minimap and timer now displays in spectator mode• Reintroduced the hide HUD option that can be mapped from the controls settings menu

User Interface• Grammar corrections across all languages• Reduced text sizes to fit UI across various languages• Fixed map rotation in server browser to match with the in game map• Main Menu button has been removed from the 'Choose Match' screen and from Map Loading screen• The Mayan Jungle map on the choose server menu now has a blue river rather than a black one

Classic Mode• The spade now takes two hits to break blocks using the left mouse button function.• Using the spade's right mouse button function no longer collects blocks• Falling damage has been increased• When aiming with the Rifle the centre of the reticule has been moved from the middle of the red dot, to the top edge.• Updated spawn areas on Hiesville